Paper feeding means for duplicating machines



9 R. F. MORRISON ETAL. 2,260,045

PAPER FEEDING MEANS FOR DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed May 1, 1939 3Sheets-Sheet 3 fig 5 7 Q6 6/ 60 55 67 6/ 0 70 56 57 63 1 I I I i *ZMWWMam,

A ORNEYS.

Patented Oct.- 21, 1941 UNlTED STATE s. PATENT OFFICE PAPER FEEDINGMEANS FOR DUPLICATING MACHINES Robert F. Morrison, Oak Park,-

11}ii assignors to Wimmer, Chicago, corporated, Chicago, Virginia andGlen E.

Ditto, Ina corporation of West Application May 1, 1939, Serial No.271,108

11 Claims.

' is to be transferred are fed from a tray to the drum by a pair ofspaced feed rollers which engage the blank sheets before any ink hasbeen applied tothe sheets. We have found that this feeding of cleansheets by clean rollers has a detrimental effect upon the master sheetin cases where the forwarding rollers are positioned for contacting thesheets at the points where the ink later is spread. This detrimentaleffect is evidenced by theproduction of copies having Fig. 2 is a. planview of the duplicating machine of Fig. 1;

- Fig. 3 is an enlarged tray; i

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the feed tray of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a verticalsectional view taken substantially at the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing side elevation of thefeed a changed position of the parts;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially at the line 1-1of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged face view of a. feed roll unit, partly in section;

zones where the printing is appreciably lighter than at adjacent points,the differences becoming more and more pronounced as the printingproceeds until finally the master sheet is discarded and a fresh one isemployed.

We have found that we can avoid this difliculty by providing that theforwarding rollers shall engage only the side margins of the clearsheets at points which do not later come into contact with the inkedportions of the master sheet. We

have found that by changing the arrangement of the forwarding means foraccomplishing this purpose we have very greatly increased the effectivelife of a master sheet and very greatly improved the quality of theprinting. Under these circumstances, it is one of the objects of ourinvention to provide an improved arrangement of the forwarding rollersand their supporting and driving means so that the rollers can be veryeasily and quickly shifted to any desired position transversely of themachine.

Our invention comprises also improved means for holding the copy sheetsyieldingly in position on the tray by engagement with the side edgefaces of the pile of sheets, for assisting in the control of the paperas it is fed forwardly by the rollers.

It is another object of our invention to improve machines of this typein sundry details hereinafter pointed out. The preferred means by whichwe have accomplished our several ob- .jects are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of aduplicating machine incorporating the novel feeding mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially at the line 9-9in Fig. 2 but with the feed rollers in changed position; and

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially at the lineI'll-l0 of Fig. 9.

Referring now to the drawings for a detailed description of theinvention, l0 represents the frame of the duplicating machine, having afeed tray ll mounted thereon for supporting a pile I2 of copy sheets.The copy sheets are moved forwardly (toward the right in Fig. 1) by thefeeding mechanism hereinafter described to forwarding rolls l3. and I4,the'roll 13 serving additionally to moisten the upper surface of thecopy sheet as it passes therethrough. The solvent is applied to the rollI3 by a solvent feeding mechanism 15, the details of which form no partof this invention and accordingly will not be described here. From theforwarding rolls I3 and M, the copy sheet passes to a drum it againstwhich it is held by an impression roller ll. Suitable means (not shown)is provided for driving the drum l6 so that it is rotated to cause animpression to be made upon the copy sheet from a master sheet carried bythe drum. The copy sheet is ejected from the drum upon a delivery trayI8 which is positioned below and to the right of the drum I6.

Cooperating with the forward portions of the copy sheets I2, that is,the portions nearest the forwarding rolls l3 and M, are two feed rollsI9 and 20. Each of the feed roll units comprises a ring H of frictionmaterial such as rubber or the like which is mounted on a wheel 22 whichhas a tubular extension 23 on one side thereof which serves as themounting means for the wheel. The rubber ring 2! is preferably cut awayat one side at 24, the purpose of which is to reduce the peripheral faceof the roll so that the roll may be used with sheets having a relativelynarrow margin without unduly sacrificing stiffness. The ring 2! isretained upon the wheel 22 by means otlateralflangesacarriedbythewheelfl. The rollanditstubularextemionareslidablymolmt--edonadriveshait2liiattenedatonesideiace,

9300,0415 I a a I a members I: in openings in which hollow studsliareflxedlymountedasisbestshowninl 'igfl.

' Abushingllisrotatablymountedineachoithebeingreleasablysecuredinadiusted-mlltionby'asetscrewflcarriedbytheextension.

Theshai'tldisdrivenbymeansoisprocketwheelsilandllandachainlliromatransverseshaitll. Saidtransverseahaitflismountedontheirame ll oitheduplicatingma-- chineashortdistanceinrearoitherolls "and I. and is driven intermittently in timedrelation with the drum II so that the operation of the rolls is likewiseintermittent. In the arrangement shown, the slmit II is movablysupported iromtheshaitflbymeansoianarmilinthe form 01' a housingadaptedto swing vertically about the shait 34. The amount of pressureexertedbytherollsuponthecopysheetsisregulatedbyatensioningmeansllthedetailsoiwhich do not iorm a part oi this invention and hence are not describedhere.

The ieed rolls ll, 2. are normally positioned on the shait 28 in themanner shown mm. 2;

' that is, with the extensions 23 turned inwardly.

when so positioned the rolls are adapted to beadjustedsoastoengagethesidemarginsoithe copy sheets, being adjustablethrough a considerable range transversely of the machine for use withsheets oi diiierent widths. It is sometimes desirable, however, to havethe forwarding rollers engage the intermediate portions oi the sheetsregardless of the disadvantages, and particularly when the copy sheetsare required to be passed through the duplicating machine a second timeto impress additional material thereon. Re-run sheets have a tendency tobuckle at their central portions so that they do not lie flat when theyreach the forwarding rolls l3 and I. When the feed rolls I! and II areso spaced as to contact the central portions oi the sheets, theseportions will enter the advancing rolls l8 and I4 without diiliculty andthe side margins of the sheets will assumetheproperpositionontherolls.Topositlon the feed rolls II and II centrally oi thesheets,allthatisrequiredistoreversethe molmting means so that theextensions 23 projectoutwardlyinsteadoiinwardly.

'lheieedtrayllcomprisesashortmetalplate as having depending flanges 4|atthesides thereof,asisbestshowninn'g.9,suchtraybeing removably securedinposition on the irame II by any suitable means not illustrated indetail. In the arrangement shown, the tray is locked in place by meansof a latch l2 pivotally mounted onthe trayandadaptedtoengageatransverserod 43 on theirame |l,asshowninFig. l, for locking the tray againstmovement with respect to the rod.

The copy sheets are positionedon the tray ll bymeansoisidemarginbarslland inthe formoianglesasshowninFig.9,suchbarsbeingadjustably mounted on the tray. As is best showninl'igs.3and4,eachoithemarginbars is provided with a stud II which projectsdownwardly into a lateral slot I! in the tray. Springs 4! acting againstwashers on the studs hold the forward ends of the margin bars againstthe tray. At their rear end portions, the bars 45 and 46 are providedwith studs 5| which project downwardly through lateral slots 5; in thetray, having nuts 53 secured by screw-threads on their lower ends fortightening the rear end portions of'the margin bars against the tray.

At their rear end portions, the margin bars 45 and 46 are provided withbrackets or housing studs ll, with a pin I. extending through each ofthe bushings into rigid iixed engagement with a plate I slidablesidewise in the housing II. A block oi sponge rubber II is glued orotherwise secured to the plate CI. The outer end of the pin It isthreaded to receive an adjusting nut 68 and a lock nut N which serves tolock the adjusting nut It in place on the pin.

Upon the bushing ll between the stud I! and the adjusting nut 83, wehave mounted a lever GI provided with a rib it thereon adapted in thepofltion oi the lever as shown in Fig. 5 to engage agroove II in theouter end of the stud 55. When the lever is rotated upwardly throughapproximately the rib O8 is cammed out oi the notch or groove 61 so asto move the adjusting nut 83 and the pin 58 outwardly for moving theplate I and the rubber block I from the position as shown in Fig. 5 tothe position as shown in Fig. 6. The rib ll serves thus substantially asa latch for holding the lever I in either its operative position asshown in Fig. 6 or in its inoperative position as shown in Fig. 5. Theamount of movement provided by the rib 6. is such that the rubber block8| will be withdrawn completely into the housing 55. When the lever iiis rotated back the same amount so that the rib it is in registry withthe notch 61, the rubber block 8| protrudes from the housing 55 andcontacts the side iaces oi the pile oi copy sheets on the tray. Acompression spring II is inserted between the plate ill and the stud itso as normally to press the plate 6| inwardly. The amountthat the rubberblock OI protrudes from the housing 55 may be regulated ,by theadjusting nut 63. By backing the nut 63 oil the pin it more or less, therubber block 6| will be made to protrude a greater distance out of thehousing I and when the nut I3 is adjusted inwardly on the pin II theamount of protrusion may be decreased. The selected position oi the nut63 on the pin I. is assured by advancing the lock nut 04 againstthenut!It will be noted that the side margin bar 46 is notched at Ii (see Fig.6) .to permit the rubber block CI to extend slightly below the surfaceoi .the bar, thereby insuring contact between the block and thelowermost sheet oi the stack oicopy heetslionthetmy.

To prevent the bottom sheet oi the stack oi copy sheets from beinginadvertently drawn ior ward by the feed rolls II and II, pads 13 arepro vided on each side oi the margin bar under the rolls, each of whichpads is preferably iormed with small protuberances to increase theholding ability oi the pad.

It is derstood that the foregoing description is merely illustrative ofa preferred embodiment oi the invention and that the scope oi theinvention, therefore, is not to be limited thereto but is to bedetermined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a paper ieeding mechanism, the combination of, a table adapted tosupport a pile of copy sheets, paper feed means a'djustable transverselyof the table so as to be brought into operative engagement with the sidemargins of the'top sheet of the pile on said table and reversible sheetin either of 'itsreversible positions for feeding said top sheetedgewise from the pile.

2. In a paper feedingmechanism, the combination of, a table adapted tosupport a pile of copy sheets, a shaftextending across above the tabletransversely thereof and movable toward and away from the table closelyadjacent to the front edge of said pile of sheets, paper feed rollersmounted on said shaft so as to be rotated thereby and so as to beadjustable therealong into operative engagement with the side margins ofthe top sheet of the pile on said.table,"and means for giving said shaftintermittent rotary movements in the direction for causing said rollersto carry the top sheet forwardly edgewise from the pile.

3. In apaper feeding mechanism, the combination of, a table adapted tosupport a pile of copy sheets, a shaft extending across above the tabletransversely thereof, paper feed rollers each having a tubular bearingmember extending from one face and mounted on said shaft so as to berotated thereby and reversible for causing the tubular bearing membersto extend either inwardly or outwardly, means carried by said rollersfor holding the rollers in adjusted position along the shaft, and meansfor giving said shaft intermittent rotary movements in the.direction forcausing saidrollers to carry the top sheet forwardly edgewise from thepile.

4. In a paper feeding mechanism, the combination of, a table adapted tosupport a pile of copy sheets, an arm pivotally mounted on a fixed axisabove said table so as to swing toward and from the table at about themiddle portion of the table transversely, a shaft rotatably mounted onsaid arm at an intermediate point along the shaft so as to be movablevertically withthe arm-closely adjacent to the front edge of said pileof sheets and extending toward the sides of the table, paper feedrollers mounted on opposite end portions of said shaft so as to berotated by the shaft and so as to be adjustable along the shaft intooperative engagement with the side margins of the top sheet of the pileon the table, and means for giving said shaft intermittent rotarymovements in the direction for causing said rollers to carry the topsheet forwardly edgewise from the pile.

5. In a paper feeding mechanism, the combination of, a table adapted tosupport a pile of copy sheets, a shaft extending across above the tabletransversely thereof, paper feed rollers having body portions formed ofrubber each comprisingaa short cylindrical portion and a reinforcingtapered portion, said rollers being mounted on said shaft so as to berotated thereby and so as to be adjustable therealong into operativeengagement with the side margins of the top sheet of the pile on saidtable, and means for giving said shaft intermittent rotary movements inthe direction for causing said rollers to carry the top sheet forwardlyedgewise from the pile. I

6. A feed roller unit comprising in combination a metallic tubularmember, a head on one end of said tubular member, and a roller formed ofrubber on said head and comprising a short cylindrical portion and areinforcing portion formed integrally with the cylindrical portion andtapering toward said tubular member. '7. In a paper feeding mechanism,the combination of, a table adapted to support a pile of copy sheets,means adapted by engagement with the top sheet of the pile to forwardsaid sheet edgewise from the pile, brackets at opposite sides of thetable, pressure plates at opposite sides of the pile of sheets havingpins extending outwardlyihrough openings in said brackets with nutsadjustably mounted by means of screwthreads on the outer ends of thepins so as to limit the inward movement of the pressure plates, springsserving normally to press said plates to the limitof their movementinwardly, levers rotatable about said pins, and cam means controlled bymovements of said levers for moving said pins outwardly against theaction of said springs for carrying said pressure plates out of theirnormal'operative pressure positions with respect to said pile of sheets.

i 8. In a paper feeding mechanism, the combination of a table adapted tosupport a pile of copy sheets, means adapted by engagement with the topsheet of the pile to forward said sheet edgewise from the pile, apressure plate at one side at least of the pile of copy sheets forapplying a frictional braking effect on the sheets for holding themyieldingly against forward movement, spring means normally pressing saidpressure plate inwardly, adjustable means for limiting the inwardmovement of said pressure plate comprising a pinextending outwardly fromsaid pressure plate through an opening in a in one position by holdingengagement with said adjustable means to hold the pressure plate out ofoperative position with respect to said pile of copy sheets and adaptedwhen moved into an alternative position to permit said spring means toreturn the pressure plate to operative pressure relationship to saidpile of sheets,

9. In a paper feeding mechanism, the combination of a table adapted tosupport a pile of copy sheets, margin bars along opposite sides of thetable adjustable transversely thereof for p0 sitioning said pile of copysheets, means adapted 45 by engagement with the top sheet of the pile toforward said sheet edgewise from the pile, brack-= ets carried by saidmargin bars near their rear ends, pressure plates mounted onsaidbrackets respectively and movable transversely of the matent beyondthe inner faces of the margin bars for engagement with the side faces ofsaid pile of copy sheets, pins connected with said pressure plates andextending outwardly therefrom through openings in said brackets, springsmounted on said pins so as normally to move said pressure platesinwardly, 'nuts secured by screwthreads on the outer end portions ofsaid pins for limiting the inward movement of said pressure plates bysaid springs, and a member movably mounted in operative relation to atleast one of said pins adapted in one position to prevent inwardmovement of said'pin so as to hold the attached pressure plate inoutwardly retracted position with respect to the margin bar on which theplate is mounted and out of engagement with said pile of copy sheets andadapted when moved into an alternative position to permit the springbearing on said one pressure plate to return the to said pile of sheets.

10. In a paper feeding mechanism, the com-- chine for projectioninwardly to an adjusted expressure plate to operative pressurerelationship sitioning said pile oi copy sheetamesns adapted saidpressure plates inwardly, adjustable means for limiting the inwardmovement of said pressure plates comprising pins extending outwardlyfrom said pressure plates through openings in said brackets, and nutssecured .by screw-threads on the'outer end portions of said pins, andlatch means movably mounted in operative relation to said pins' adaptedin one position by holding engagement with said adjustable means to holdthe pressure plates in outwardly retracted position with respect to saidmargin bars and out or engagement with said pile of copy sheets andadaptedwhen moved into an alternative position to permit said springs toreturn the pressure plates to operative pressure relationship to saidpile of sheets.

11. In a paper feeding mechanism, thecombip .by engagement with the topsheet a: the pile to wise from the pile, means for applying a iric- 25Pile oi copy sheets.

nation of same adapted to mart a pile or copy sheets, means adapted byengagement with thetopsheetoi apileio iorwardsaidsheetedgetional grip onthe sheets for holding them yieldingly against forward movement andcomprising a pressure plate at one side at least of the pile,

spring means normally pressing said pressure plate inwardly, a lustablemeans for limiting the inward movement of said pressure plate comprisinga pin extending outwardly from said pressure plate through an opening ina bracket ad- Justable transversely with respect to said table, a nutmounted by means or screw-threads on said pin, and a cam lever pivotallymounted on said pin between said bracket and said nut soastobeswingableaboutthepin adaptedinons position to have operativeengagement with a notch insaid bracketso as to permitsaidspring mum tohold the pressure plate in operative pressure relationship to said pileof sheets and adapted in another position to engage the bracket inspaced relation to said notch-so as to hold the pressure plate out ofprusure relationship to said ROBERT F. nonmson. 0mm 1:. wmmm.

